Police in Peru say nine officers died during an attempt to rescue 38 police hostages being held by indigenous protesters at a remote Amazon oil facility.

Government officials say police stormed the state-owned facility Saturday. They say that of 38 police held hostage, 22 were rescued, nine were killed and seven are missing.

The latest deaths follow clashes Friday that killed more than 30 people and wounded 50. The violence erupted as indigenous people protested against energy exploration on their lands in the Amazon.

The protests were in an area of northern Peru known as Curva del Diablo or "Devil's Curve." Indigenous leaders say police shot at hundreds of protesters from helicopters, but authorities say they were attacked while attempting to break up a roadblock.

Indigenous Peruvians have been blocking roads and waterways intermittently since April to demand that the government repeal laws they say encourage foreign companies to exploit their lands. Protesters have also shut down oil production in the region.